The relationship between ergonomics and the workplace can be defined as the constructing and modifying workplace practices and development of the working environment to suit the needs of the worker.
Ergonomics in the workplace promotes healthy working practices by enhancing productivity and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. This maximizes effort by the workers which in return boosts the quality of the products provided by the establishment.
What Are Workplace Ergonomics?
The workplace ergonomics are developed by an ergonomist who studies and evaluates the working conditions of an employee and how they conduct themselves. A detailed outline is drafted per the response of an individual to ensure that they are viable in producing quality work.
Overworked employees are a common symptom of poor working practices that affects the overall morale of the company culture. To avoid such instances, workplace ergonomics are designed and implemented through constant revision to ensure that employees are allowed to thrive in a safe professional environment.
Why Is Ergonomics Important in the Workplace
The notion questioning the importance of ergonomics in the workplace can be answered with the improved employee morale and increased productivity, after its implementation. The effect of applied ergonomics eliminates frequent medical leaves caused by a poor work environment.
With technological investments, a large percentage of the workforce is not defined by the physical workers but the ones who are associated with computer based work. This calls for the necessary adjustments designed for the productivity of this particular workforce. The implementation of ergonomics in the technological driven workplace is to eliminate the development of musculoskeletal injuries as a side effect.
Problems Caused by Inefficient Workplace Ergonomics
Poor working conditions leave a lasting impact on the employees mood leading to low production rates which further escalates into a cycle of mental strain. Poor working conditions do not specifically affect the product manufacturing process but impacts lifestyle choices as well. An overworked employee is often a victim of burnout leading to depression and accumulation of severe medical problems.
The human body is designed in a way that promotes exertion and physical activity; however, the work culture of sedentary jobs has drastically affected not only physical health but psychological as well. Poor postures, mental strain leading to depression that can affect the birth of brain cells leading to the possibility of serious mental implications.
Diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer are all conclusive possibilities due to the prolonged effect of a poor sedentary lifestyle. Such estimated statistics should be an alarm for employers to integrate healthy work practices.
Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace
The benefits of practicing healthy ergonomics can be observed within a short period of time soon after their implementation. Ergonomics in the workplace induce multiple benefits not just for the employees but for the company as well.
- Health Benefits: Stress is a common side effect of any workplace, however this factor can be greatly reduced by safe workplace practices. These implementations relieve the heart and brain from constant stress which further on contributes to the overall physical and mental health.
- Improved Productivity: Beneficial changes integrated into the workplace motivates workers to bring forth results that are advantageous to the company. This optimized work environment allows employees to maneuver their tasks with ease and solely focus on productivity.
- Increased Employee Satisfaction: To obtain dedicated employees, it is necessary for establishments to create a standardized healthy work environment based on their employee.
Checklist for Office Ergonomics
Other than enforcing workplace ergonomic related principles, the workstation must be equipped with the necessary tools and equipment. Listed below is a checklist to ensure the implementation of office ergonomics:
- Desk height should meet the elbow level.
- Monitor screen should be wide enough to avoid glaring or squinting.
- Keyboard and Mouse placements should be comfortable for maximum wrist movement.
- Office chairs should be standardized to ensure the feet meet the ground and support is provided to the back.
- A Footrest must be present for employees whose feet do not reach the floor.
- Minimization of noise pollution that is a distraction from work.
- Employees must be allowed to stretch their back and legs after continuous sedentary work.
Office Ergonomics Equipment
For the establishment of an ergonomic workplace, there is a list of office ergonomics which assist in the development of an optimized workplace. In a sedentary workplace, the ergonomic workplace equipment consist of:
Office chair: The office chair has to meet a series of requirements whether the chair is equipped to support the back, the arms and if the feet meet the ground.
Keyboard and Mouse: It is necessary to make sure the keyboard and mouse are on elbow surface level and that there is plenty of space to rest the wrists to eliminate the possibility of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Monitor: Ensure that the monitor is about an arm’s width away from the body and whether the size of the monitor is sufficient based on the individual.
Breaks: There must be a gap regulated between constant sedentary work such as, refocusing the eyes and stretching of the arms and legs to avoid muscle strain.
Tips for Improving Office Ergonomics
The workplace attitude is drastically changing with implementation of healthy workplace policies that eliminate the progression of a toxic work environment. While surroundings play an important role in the workplace, it is essential to adopt good habits that reduce the pressure exerted on the body.
- Ensure that your workstation meets the ergonomic standards of a sedentary position.
- Small stretches must be conducted throughout the day, neck and wrist joints can accumulate severe pain if they are under constant exertion.
- Integrate a short walk throughout each hour of the day
- Choosing a small glass to hydrate is beneficial rather than a large bottle to induce as much movement as possible.
- Take the stairs to induce physical activity
- Incorporate a physical activity such as yoga or the gym throughout the week.
When to Implement an Ergonomics Program
The implementation of an ergonomics program should not be implemented after the appearance of harmful symptoms in the workplace. It is important to conduct ergonomic work practices throughout to eliminate the possibility of Musculoskeletal disorders and other workplace injuries.
Depending on the mode of work, physical work or a sedentary workplace, the appropriate ergonomic principles and equipment should be imposed with the necessary modifications. This prioritizes the comfort of the worker to maximize productivity and eliminate workplace hazards.
Enjoy Your Ergonomic Work Environment Today
Ergonomics in the workplace offer a compelling reality of the elimination of harmful side effects which impedes work production and hinders the quality of life. The exercise of ergonomics in the workplace allows the employees and the establishment to foster an environment of like-mindedness and comfort.
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